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ellelainey's review
2.0
Book – Dreamers Destiny
Author – Tempeste O'Riley
Star rating - ★★☆☆☆
No. of Pages – 200
Cover – Gorgeous!
POV – 3rd person, dual POV, but sometimes omnipresent
Would I read it again – No
Genre – LGBT, Paranormal, Witch
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
*This review may contain spoilers*
Okay, this is going to be a hard one, so I'm just going to jump straight in. I was looking forward to reading this since the day I asked to review it. With that gorgeous cover, a Wiccan character and a book store owner, all mixed up with dream walking, I was desperate to get started. And, now that I'm finished, all I can honestly say is that I was disappointed.
I HATE a few things in this book, things that were instantly thrust at me, the second I began reading. And, I mean the second. Here we go :
starting a book with sex. It's a total no-no for me, because I have no clue who these characters are, I don't care about them or their sex lives and, frankly, I've been given no reason to care about them. So why should I care or enjoy anything about two people I don't know getting it on right from line one?
starting with a dream. This is probably a spoiler, but it's also a no-no of mine. I never, ever want to read a book that is going to lie to me. Not making it clear when a dream is a dream, is as good as lying. Especially when it's at the start of the book and I don't know or care about anyone yet. Implying something is real, when I don't know whether it is or not, is frustrating and makes me mad. Hence, not a great start to a book that I was really, really looking forward to.
word choice. This is another pet hate of mine, but there is nothing sexy about the words 'stabbing', 'rod' or 'channel' in a sex scene. Nothing.
Quite honestly, I had no issue with the style of writing or the plot, but the execution left something to be desired. I really liked Liam, as a main character, but he was – sadly – the only character I did like. Raven and Nate, who were intriguing and whose part in the story was completely ignored (which I'm assuming is due to them having their own story?) were the only minor characters I liked and there was, by far, not enough of them in the book.
I find it difficult to say, because of the declaration by the author that Dianne was based on a real person, but I didn't like her. At all. She was kind of creepy (fake-leering at her own nephew!) and too over-bearing and pushy for my tastes. She continually tried to control Liam's life and business, even when he told her to back off, and wouldn't take no for an answer. I get the whole “worried aunt” persona she's meant to exude, but I just didn't like her at all.
Sadly, the same could be said for Cam. For me, he's a really weird character and not one that I want to follow into his POV. When Liam tries so hard to protect Cam and give him exactly what he asked for, even at cost and harm to himself, Cam is nothing but a judgemental asshat, who expects him to be a mind reader, while getting uppity about his choices. I also find it a little ridiculous how many times this guy “screams” in bed! I mean, there's an over abundance of sex scenes as it is, but he screams at least once in every single one, and most of the time it's for something small. So, either he's hell of a sensitive to small stimulation or it's an over-exaggeration. Either way, it didn't feel believeable.
Overall, the characterisation wasn't done well. There was a lot of confusion and inconsistency within the main characters personalities. It was like they were having constant mood swings, the changes were so severe. Cam is needy as all Hell in the dream sequences, but self-assured and commanding in real life. While Liam is the opposite. It's unbelieveable for them to change to much between the two lives that are supposed to so closely mimic their real lives. At times, Cam is femme and a twinkish character one minute, then he's butch. Liam flits between overbearing and demanding in the dreams, then pathetic, naïve and helpless in real life. I get that characters can be diverse in their emotions and range of personality quirks, but this was excessive. It was like they were two different people in their dream lives.
P.S. It takes 50% to find out how old Liam is. Hmm... Not to mention that Cam and Liam both talk, act and read like teenagers/college guys, rather than people in their early thirties.
Oh, and can I just say there was TOO MUCH sex? Way too much. The story didn't need it, benefit from it or in any way progress because of it. It was excessive. After the first few, I skimmed through them and only stopped for dialogue or when it was over.
And, it's either a difference between UK and US or the author has some seriously warped ideas about tattoo artist's work hours. Because, going by the book, Cam often works into the evening, past eight o'clock, and then goes back to work again after dinner breaks. This is bordering on excessive and ludicrous.
The timeline was very inconsistent and confusing. We weren't told when time had passed (two days or a week) until well into a scene and it made reading and figuring out what was going on really difficult. Half the time a simple “two weeks later” at the start of a chapter would have settled it, but that information wasn't given until really late on, when it was almost pointless.
It would have been nice – and helpful, considering the point above – to have the dreams and main story separated. This is usually done with Italics, but there was no separation here (hence the pet hate at the start). Each time Cam or Liam ended up in a dream sequence, I had to spend at least half a page figuring out whether it was real, a dream or just a completely random event, because it often wasn't made clear until the dream was over or halfway through, by which point I was already confused.
Some inconsistencies:
switching of pet names
timeline
POV – when it becomes omnipresent
humming and hawing about the relationship they're already in
And, I have a few unanswered questions. Like, when searching for a “permanent” reminder of their relationship, not one of them thinks about a tattoo? Why does the waitress rhyme off their order to them, after they'd already decided? This was neither necessary or done in a way that made sense, because they'd just finished reading the menu's, so they knew what they were ordering. Why does Bass put up with Cam at work, when his personal life constantly gets in the way and interferes with his work? What happened to Nate and Raven? What happened to Dianne and Nosha? Both are made out to be very important to the MC's, but the issues are never resolved. (I've checked and this is billed as a standalone, not part of a series) Will Cam ever explain the dream walking to Bass, like he promised? What happened to the bad guy, after the binding?
I didn't like the way it was constantly implied and outright mentioned that men weren't supposed to talk about their feelings. Not only is this chauvinistic, but it's not the only instance either. Later, it's said that taking pictures at a wedding is a woman's thing:
“Pictures are always for the womenfolk, even when it's not their wedding or their child's wedding.”
I don't like the way Nate is discussed. Sure, he has a disability, but describing it as “twisted legs” is very dismissive and as though that defines him and means he's somehow “less than” the other characters. Though Liam goes on to support Nate, it felt false and didn't tally at all with the perception shown in the written text.
~
For me, the relationship was the main focus of the story, but it fell short. There was no progression of the relationship, no “I love you” declaration. Everything just happened in an instant because they've known each other in their dreams for years. But that doesn't translate to real life. They made very little attempt to get to know each other after finding each other in RL, before jumping into a relationship. Even then, the acceptance of having met each other in their dreams was too widely accepted by everyone who found out about it, sceptics and cover members alike.
I found the danger to be second to the relationship, and then became glossed over after the initial attack, until it was time to deal with hit. While important events were also skimmed over – Liam meeting Sarah and Dan, Cam meeting Nate (both of which never happened on page and were never mentioned!), Liam getting his first tattoo and so much more.
Overall, the romance has promise, even if it does happen a little fast, but I can't get over all of the little inconsistencies and confusions. There are just too many issues, which is really disappointing, because I'd really been looking forward to it. But leaving me with so many unanswered questions is a major failing and I can't excuse that.
Author – Tempeste O'Riley
Star rating - ★★☆☆☆
No. of Pages – 200
Cover – Gorgeous!
POV – 3rd person, dual POV, but sometimes omnipresent
Would I read it again – No
Genre – LGBT, Paranormal, Witch
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
*This review may contain spoilers*
Okay, this is going to be a hard one, so I'm just going to jump straight in. I was looking forward to reading this since the day I asked to review it. With that gorgeous cover, a Wiccan character and a book store owner, all mixed up with dream walking, I was desperate to get started. And, now that I'm finished, all I can honestly say is that I was disappointed.
I HATE a few things in this book, things that were instantly thrust at me, the second I began reading. And, I mean the second. Here we go :
starting a book with sex. It's a total no-no for me, because I have no clue who these characters are, I don't care about them or their sex lives and, frankly, I've been given no reason to care about them. So why should I care or enjoy anything about two people I don't know getting it on right from line one?
starting with a dream. This is probably a spoiler, but it's also a no-no of mine. I never, ever want to read a book that is going to lie to me. Not making it clear when a dream is a dream, is as good as lying. Especially when it's at the start of the book and I don't know or care about anyone yet. Implying something is real, when I don't know whether it is or not, is frustrating and makes me mad. Hence, not a great start to a book that I was really, really looking forward to.
word choice. This is another pet hate of mine, but there is nothing sexy about the words 'stabbing', 'rod' or 'channel' in a sex scene. Nothing.
Quite honestly, I had no issue with the style of writing or the plot, but the execution left something to be desired. I really liked Liam, as a main character, but he was – sadly – the only character I did like. Raven and Nate, who were intriguing and whose part in the story was completely ignored (which I'm assuming is due to them having their own story?) were the only minor characters I liked and there was, by far, not enough of them in the book.
I find it difficult to say, because of the declaration by the author that Dianne was based on a real person, but I didn't like her. At all. She was kind of creepy (fake-leering at her own nephew!) and too over-bearing and pushy for my tastes. She continually tried to control Liam's life and business, even when he told her to back off, and wouldn't take no for an answer. I get the whole “worried aunt” persona she's meant to exude, but I just didn't like her at all.
Sadly, the same could be said for Cam. For me, he's a really weird character and not one that I want to follow into his POV. When Liam tries so hard to protect Cam and give him exactly what he asked for, even at cost and harm to himself, Cam is nothing but a judgemental asshat, who expects him to be a mind reader, while getting uppity about his choices. I also find it a little ridiculous how many times this guy “screams” in bed! I mean, there's an over abundance of sex scenes as it is, but he screams at least once in every single one, and most of the time it's for something small. So, either he's hell of a sensitive to small stimulation or it's an over-exaggeration. Either way, it didn't feel believeable.
Overall, the characterisation wasn't done well. There was a lot of confusion and inconsistency within the main characters personalities. It was like they were having constant mood swings, the changes were so severe. Cam is needy as all Hell in the dream sequences, but self-assured and commanding in real life. While Liam is the opposite. It's unbelieveable for them to change to much between the two lives that are supposed to so closely mimic their real lives. At times, Cam is femme and a twinkish character one minute, then he's butch. Liam flits between overbearing and demanding in the dreams, then pathetic, naïve and helpless in real life. I get that characters can be diverse in their emotions and range of personality quirks, but this was excessive. It was like they were two different people in their dream lives.
P.S. It takes 50% to find out how old Liam is. Hmm... Not to mention that Cam and Liam both talk, act and read like teenagers/college guys, rather than people in their early thirties.
Oh, and can I just say there was TOO MUCH sex? Way too much. The story didn't need it, benefit from it or in any way progress because of it. It was excessive. After the first few, I skimmed through them and only stopped for dialogue or when it was over.
And, it's either a difference between UK and US or the author has some seriously warped ideas about tattoo artist's work hours. Because, going by the book, Cam often works into the evening, past eight o'clock, and then goes back to work again after dinner breaks. This is bordering on excessive and ludicrous.
The timeline was very inconsistent and confusing. We weren't told when time had passed (two days or a week) until well into a scene and it made reading and figuring out what was going on really difficult. Half the time a simple “two weeks later” at the start of a chapter would have settled it, but that information wasn't given until really late on, when it was almost pointless.
It would have been nice – and helpful, considering the point above – to have the dreams and main story separated. This is usually done with Italics, but there was no separation here (hence the pet hate at the start). Each time Cam or Liam ended up in a dream sequence, I had to spend at least half a page figuring out whether it was real, a dream or just a completely random event, because it often wasn't made clear until the dream was over or halfway through, by which point I was already confused.
Some inconsistencies:
switching of pet names
timeline
POV – when it becomes omnipresent
humming and hawing about the relationship they're already in
And, I have a few unanswered questions. Like, when searching for a “permanent” reminder of their relationship, not one of them thinks about a tattoo? Why does the waitress rhyme off their order to them, after they'd already decided? This was neither necessary or done in a way that made sense, because they'd just finished reading the menu's, so they knew what they were ordering. Why does Bass put up with Cam at work, when his personal life constantly gets in the way and interferes with his work? What happened to Nate and Raven? What happened to Dianne and Nosha? Both are made out to be very important to the MC's, but the issues are never resolved. (I've checked and this is billed as a standalone, not part of a series) Will Cam ever explain the dream walking to Bass, like he promised? What happened to the bad guy, after the binding?
I didn't like the way it was constantly implied and outright mentioned that men weren't supposed to talk about their feelings. Not only is this chauvinistic, but it's not the only instance either. Later, it's said that taking pictures at a wedding is a woman's thing:
“Pictures are always for the womenfolk, even when it's not their wedding or their child's wedding.”
I don't like the way Nate is discussed. Sure, he has a disability, but describing it as “twisted legs” is very dismissive and as though that defines him and means he's somehow “less than” the other characters. Though Liam goes on to support Nate, it felt false and didn't tally at all with the perception shown in the written text.
~
For me, the relationship was the main focus of the story, but it fell short. There was no progression of the relationship, no “I love you” declaration. Everything just happened in an instant because they've known each other in their dreams for years. But that doesn't translate to real life. They made very little attempt to get to know each other after finding each other in RL, before jumping into a relationship. Even then, the acceptance of having met each other in their dreams was too widely accepted by everyone who found out about it, sceptics and cover members alike.
I found the danger to be second to the relationship, and then became glossed over after the initial attack, until it was time to deal with hit. While important events were also skimmed over – Liam meeting Sarah and Dan, Cam meeting Nate (both of which never happened on page and were never mentioned!), Liam getting his first tattoo and so much more.
Overall, the romance has promise, even if it does happen a little fast, but I can't get over all of the little inconsistencies and confusions. There are just too many issues, which is really disappointing, because I'd really been looking forward to it. But leaving me with so many unanswered questions is a major failing and I can't excuse that.
aligroen's review against another edition
5.0
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Liam Grady is the owner of the Feathered Quill, a quirky little bookstore in Asheville, and—though he doesn’t realize it yet—a dream walker. His last relationship failed almost a year ago, and he’s not had the interest or nerve to pursue anyone he’s met since.
Cameron Danu is a tattoo artist from rural Georgia. Cameron is left without a job after his boss, José, is forced to close the shop after a heart attack. When Cameron learns José has set up an interview for him at a small tattoo parlor in Asheville, he hopes for a fresh start in a new town.
Fate brings Cameron and Liam together, and they realize they’ve met before—in their dreams. A chance encounter and a winged tattoo might lead them to their destiny—if fear doesn’t turn their dreams into a nightmare
This is another wonderful story by Tempeste O’Riley. I have enjoyed her contemporary romances and was excited to read a paranormal by this author.
Liam and Cameron have been meeting in their dreams for years and when they actually see and meet each other in the real world it throws everything into a tailspin. When Liam learns that he is a dream walker and dream weaver he begins to learn about his gift while getting to know Cameron in the real world. When someone begins to attack them in their dreams they have to work together to get to the other side unharmed.
This was an emotional story and it was nice being able to feel both Liam’s and Cameron’s feelings on what was going on. The different points of view were helpful in understanding the characters. They both had to struggle with keeping their dream world and the real world separate from the other and when the dream world begins to invade into the real world they work together with the help of friends to get everything back on track.
This was a great story and I loved how their relationship came together. Everything wasn’t perfect for either of them and they each had to learn how to be there for the other. Their sex scenes in their dreams were hot, but once they actually knew each other they got even better. The story had a great conclusion with them looking towards the future after they conquered the man from their dreams.
Cover art by Reese Dante is wonderful and depicts one of the main tattoos in the story. Plus, a man with tattoos is always great to look at.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | ARe
Book Details:
ebook, 200 pages
Published: May 13, 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634772136
Edition Language: English
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Liam Grady is the owner of the Feathered Quill, a quirky little bookstore in Asheville, and—though he doesn’t realize it yet—a dream walker. His last relationship failed almost a year ago, and he’s not had the interest or nerve to pursue anyone he’s met since.
Cameron Danu is a tattoo artist from rural Georgia. Cameron is left without a job after his boss, José, is forced to close the shop after a heart attack. When Cameron learns José has set up an interview for him at a small tattoo parlor in Asheville, he hopes for a fresh start in a new town.
Fate brings Cameron and Liam together, and they realize they’ve met before—in their dreams. A chance encounter and a winged tattoo might lead them to their destiny—if fear doesn’t turn their dreams into a nightmare
This is another wonderful story by Tempeste O’Riley. I have enjoyed her contemporary romances and was excited to read a paranormal by this author.
Liam and Cameron have been meeting in their dreams for years and when they actually see and meet each other in the real world it throws everything into a tailspin. When Liam learns that he is a dream walker and dream weaver he begins to learn about his gift while getting to know Cameron in the real world. When someone begins to attack them in their dreams they have to work together to get to the other side unharmed.
This was an emotional story and it was nice being able to feel both Liam’s and Cameron’s feelings on what was going on. The different points of view were helpful in understanding the characters. They both had to struggle with keeping their dream world and the real world separate from the other and when the dream world begins to invade into the real world they work together with the help of friends to get everything back on track.
This was a great story and I loved how their relationship came together. Everything wasn’t perfect for either of them and they each had to learn how to be there for the other. Their sex scenes in their dreams were hot, but once they actually knew each other they got even better. The story had a great conclusion with them looking towards the future after they conquered the man from their dreams.
Cover art by Reese Dante is wonderful and depicts one of the main tattoos in the story. Plus, a man with tattoos is always great to look at.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | ARe
Book Details:
ebook, 200 pages
Published: May 13, 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634772136
Edition Language: English
kristamccracken's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
First off, let’s talk about the cover. I loved it! Right then, I wanted to see what was in store for me. Then I read the blurb and was extremely excited when I saw it appeared to be a magic driven story, and to see how the dream walker angle would work. I am always intrigued to see how an author creates a magical world and the different spins that may be in store for me on the concepts.
The first several pages were hot, hot, hot, and I was looking forward to the rest of the story after reading how Liam and Cam interacted in their dreams. I mean, if it was that hot in the dreams, I expected it to be scorching when they met. I liked both Liam and Cam as characters. I always enjoy how Tempeste O’Riley goes out of the box with her characters, and not all are the same. Liam dresses and acts very conservative, and he is very sweet and endearing, until its sexy times—then he is all kinds of alpha. Cam is an artist whose canvas is the human body, and he is more extroverted, easily talking with those around him. I liked that both characters were surrounded by family and friends who were up in their business. I know how that feels, so I could totally relate!
Though I enjoyed the book, it didn’t capture and hold my attention as I thought it would. I think this is because, based on the blurb, I was expecting… more, and it fell short of what it could have been. The plot had a lot of potential, but the focus of the story seemed off, or at least it didn’t focus on what I had hoped it would.
I was expecting magic and dream walking to play a decent sized role in the story, but I found it really didn’t. It explained how the two MCs knew each other and had essentially been together for years, and gave an opportunity for a dangerous situation to arise, but other than those two main instances, the dream walker and magical aspect of the story felt more of an afterthought. Because of the lack of building on the dream walker idea during the story, for me, the dangerous situation kind of missed the mark as it sort of came out of nowhere. Liam finds out he is a dream walker, and we are informed he is training, but only really get a couple of pages of one session at the very beginning of his training. All the rest of his training, and most of the conversations regarding anything to do with the dream walker aspect of the story (except when Cam or Liam tell people that Liam happens to be a dream walker, but no further detail of what it means to be a dream walker), are off page and only scanned over with no real context. I didn’t get a feel for what being a dream walker really was because it wasn’t expanded on, and more or less, was skipped over. Then when the danger does occur, a solution is mentioned, random tidbits are thrown out explaining how it could have happened and how it can possibly be corrected, and alluding that these topics had been discussed during Liam’s training sessions—training sessions that the reader is informed were occurring but never put on page in anyway and never given any information on what was said or happened at them.
The majority of the book was Liam and Cam getting to know each other and getting past their individual insecurities and talking with other characters about their feelings and growing as a couple in the waking world. I liked this aspect and didn’t have a problem with it, as I truly I did like them as a couple. But because of the blurb, I kept waiting for more of the magic, more information on dream walking, more indication of the upcoming danger the blurb suggested to… and it just didn’t happen for me.
I liked the book, but I just couldn’t love it. And had the book’s blurb not had me expecting more of a magical aspect with Liam being a dream walker, and danger, I would have probably been able to enjoy the story a lot more—because it is a cute and sweet read with likable characters. But because of the blurb I was constantly looking for the more that never really came, and was really let down by the dream walker and magical aspect of the story I had been looking forward to.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-dreamers-destiny-by-tempeste-oriley/
The first several pages were hot, hot, hot, and I was looking forward to the rest of the story after reading how Liam and Cam interacted in their dreams. I mean, if it was that hot in the dreams, I expected it to be scorching when they met. I liked both Liam and Cam as characters. I always enjoy how Tempeste O’Riley goes out of the box with her characters, and not all are the same. Liam dresses and acts very conservative, and he is very sweet and endearing, until its sexy times—then he is all kinds of alpha. Cam is an artist whose canvas is the human body, and he is more extroverted, easily talking with those around him. I liked that both characters were surrounded by family and friends who were up in their business. I know how that feels, so I could totally relate!
Though I enjoyed the book, it didn’t capture and hold my attention as I thought it would. I think this is because, based on the blurb, I was expecting… more, and it fell short of what it could have been. The plot had a lot of potential, but the focus of the story seemed off, or at least it didn’t focus on what I had hoped it would.
I was expecting magic and dream walking to play a decent sized role in the story, but I found it really didn’t. It explained how the two MCs knew each other and had essentially been together for years, and gave an opportunity for a dangerous situation to arise, but other than those two main instances, the dream walker and magical aspect of the story felt more of an afterthought. Because of the lack of building on the dream walker idea during the story, for me, the dangerous situation kind of missed the mark as it sort of came out of nowhere. Liam finds out he is a dream walker, and we are informed he is training, but only really get a couple of pages of one session at the very beginning of his training. All the rest of his training, and most of the conversations regarding anything to do with the dream walker aspect of the story (except when Cam or Liam tell people that Liam happens to be a dream walker, but no further detail of what it means to be a dream walker), are off page and only scanned over with no real context. I didn’t get a feel for what being a dream walker really was because it wasn’t expanded on, and more or less, was skipped over. Then when the danger does occur, a solution is mentioned, random tidbits are thrown out explaining how it could have happened and how it can possibly be corrected, and alluding that these topics had been discussed during Liam’s training sessions—training sessions that the reader is informed were occurring but never put on page in anyway and never given any information on what was said or happened at them.
The majority of the book was Liam and Cam getting to know each other and getting past their individual insecurities and talking with other characters about their feelings and growing as a couple in the waking world. I liked this aspect and didn’t have a problem with it, as I truly I did like them as a couple. But because of the blurb, I kept waiting for more of the magic, more information on dream walking, more indication of the upcoming danger the blurb suggested to… and it just didn’t happen for me.
I liked the book, but I just couldn’t love it. And had the book’s blurb not had me expecting more of a magical aspect with Liam being a dream walker, and danger, I would have probably been able to enjoy the story a lot more—because it is a cute and sweet read with likable characters. But because of the blurb I was constantly looking for the more that never really came, and was really let down by the dream walker and magical aspect of the story I had been looking forward to.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-dreamers-destiny-by-tempeste-oriley/
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